Strip fastener for holders

ABSTRACT

A pressure sensitive fastener is disclosed herein having a first strip and a second strip formed from a single extruded sheet of resilient and flexible plastic composition having a plurality of elongated ribs projecting outwardly in fixed parallel relationship from the surface of each strip. The strips being adapted to be pressed into interlocking releasable engagement whereby the ribs of both strips are intermeshed in gripping relationship. The strips are secured at one end to the opposite ends of a holder so that when the strips are fastened together, the holder is retained on a supporting structure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Adolph Reinsberg Miami, Fla. [21] Appl. No. 784,605 [22] Filed Dec. 18,1968 [45] Patented June 22.1971 [73] Assignee Cobbs Manufacturing Company Des Moines, Iowa {54] STRIP FASTENER FOR HOLDERS 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl .l 224/28, 24/204, 40/21 [51] Int. Cl A44c 5/00 [50] Field of Search 24/2012, 204; 40/21 8; 224/2828.9

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,151,940 8/1915 Gaureau 224/28 UX 2,599,311 6/1952 Anderson 224/28 (.4) X

3,192,589 7/1965 Pearson 24/204 3,325,084 6/1967 Ausuit 24/204 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,176,188 11/1958 France 24/201 (.3) 1,313,692 11/1952 France 24/201. (.3)

119,102 9/1918 Great Britain 224/28 (.2)

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney-Roger A. Marrs ABSTRACT: A pressure sensitive fastener is disclosed herein having a first strip and a second strip formed from a 'single extruded sheet of resilient and flexible plastic composition having a plurality of elongated ribs projecting outwardly in fixed parallel relationship from the surface of each strip. The strips being adapted to be pressed into interlocking releasable engagement whereby the ribs of both strips are intermeshed in gripping relationship. The strips are secured at one end to the opposite ends of a holder so that when the strips are fastened together, the holder is retained on a supporting structure.

STRIP FASTENER FOR HOLDERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of fasteners and, more particularly, to a novel fastener of the strip or tape type whereby a pair of closure members carried on an article may be simply pressed together to effect a releasable connection therebetween to retain the article on a support or base.

2. Description of the Prior Art Man's improved technology has wrought tremendous advantages in many fields, but little has been done in the field of fabricating simple and inexpensive releasable fasteners having a variety of uses and applications. Fasteners are presently being fabricated by conventional methods and to standards which have been in use for many years. For this reason, a tremendous amount of expense and labor goes into the creation of fasteners, whether it be for commercial use or for industrial purposes. Improvement in fastener techniques which are permitted by modern technological approach and conceptual im provement can readily reduce the cost of fabricating such devices and make them more durable by the use of modern materials such as plastics.

Conventional strip or tape fasteners take the form of tacky, adhesive tapes or in more recent years, a tapelike two member fastener known in the trade by the trademark VELCRO. The Velcro fastener is sometimes referred to as a hook and pile tape wherein the pile member consists of a group of relatively fine fibers and the mating hook member consists of spaced, upstanding hook element which when the fastening members are pressed together, the fibers are held together by the hooks and considerable force is required to disconnect the members.

However, disadvantages and problems have been encountered when employing such conventional tapes which stem largely from the fact that tacky substances employed with adhesive tapes sometimes cause irritation when used in connection with articles located near the surface of a person's skin and generally lack the capability to be used repeatedly without the adhesive losing its holding strength. The hook and pile type fasteners are considered to be relatively expensive to manufacture since two separate members must be produced to effect a releasable fastener and secondly, oftentimes the skin of a user is extremely sensitive to the fine fibers and upstanding hook elements. Also, thehook and pile tape may readily become inadvertently attached to each other or caught on other materials during the course of securing garments or the like and also, considerable pressure must be employed to securely fix the members together to effect positive fastening.

Another attempt to provide a suitable pressure closable fastener is disclosed in US Letters Pat. No. 3,325,084 which shows an interlocking relationship between pressed together ribs in such a manner that spaces or voids between adjacent ones of the ribs are avoided. When pressed together, the fastener construction is solid and in fact, the adjacent ribs are compressed so that internal expandable forces are encountered during use that have a tendency to forcibly urge the ribs away from each other resulting in an undesired separation of the closure elements. Once a single rib commences to leave its mating groove, the next rib in the series initiates a similar separation from its mating groove and so forth along the length of the strip. Such a separation is difficult to avoid since the configuration of the groove is identical to the configuration of the rib so that complete conformity and matching results when the rib is pressed into the groove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a novel type of band or strip pressure sensitive fastener can be fabricated from a single specially configured sheet which, when cut into strips, will provide both members to comprise a releasable fastener having positive fastening characteristics. Plastic materials are currently being used in modern technology for numerous products because of the many advantageous features and benefits which are inherent in the employment of such materials. Fabrication from such materials greatly reduces the cost of fastener manufacturing, increases the versatility of fastener applications, and is suitable for mass production techniques. Particular application for this novel fastener is found in the soft goods trade as well as in many industrial applications. In the soft goods field, particular use has been found in utilizing the strip fastener for hair-do protection nets, dresses, children's clothes, men's caps, shoes and so forth, and for industrial use, in such fields as upholstery, carpeting and the like. The fastener of the present invention is adapted to be pressed together in locking relationship in the most convenient position to effect fastening since it is not necessary to line up male and female members such as is necessitated by snaps or other types of fastening-devices or to select the nearest buckle opening in a strap and buckle fastening arrangement.

The strip fastener of the present invention, in general, includes an elongated first and second member composed of a plasticlike material which provides resiliency and semiflexibility to the fastener and which members are identical in contour and composition; Each of the members are provided with a plurality of integrally formed ribs arranged in fixed parallel spaced relationship across the width of the members along the entire member length. Each rib of the plurality of particularly formed to terminate in a substantially enlarged bead or thickened headcap which extends along the length of the rib. Therefore, a semi'rigid fastener can be effected by pressing the first member and the second member together so that the enlarged beads of each member releasably lock with each other between the spaced-apart ribs. The strip fastener may be easily secured to various articles of merchandise by either sewing, stapling or high-speedbar tacking, for example.

In one form of the invention, a certificate holder is provided by heat sealing the peripheral edge marginal regions together of a pair of plastic sheets and securing a length of the strip fastener to the opposite ends thereof. The holder may be retained onto a supporting structure, such as an automobile steering column, sun visor or the like by wrapping the strip fasteners around the structure and securing the opposing ends together by employing finger pressure.

Inasmuch as the strip fastener of the present invention lends itself to fabrication from various plasticlike materials, modern forming techniques, such as molding and especially profile extrusion, may be employed to manufacture the members which comprise the fastener. A single sheet or layer may be profile extruded employing the conventional slot-die method whereby the forcing of plastic material through a suitably shaped orifice under compressive forces is effected to produce a single ribbed sheet. The ribbed sheet may now be severed or cut into individual strips which form the mating members of the strip fastener.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel strip fastener which is semirigid and wherein the fastener members to be joined are identical in shape and material and which may be fabricated from a single extruded or molded sheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener of the class described wherein fine adjustment of the fastener closure members can be effected so as to size or fit in a manner more precisely achieved than can be effected by employing such conventional fasteners as zippers, buttons, snaps or the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener which may be fabricated from plasticlike materials, particularly silicone, wherein the closure members are of identical shape and composition and which has the ability to effect positive closure upon the application of pressure to join the closure members.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener which may be composed of solid flexible material such as plastic, synthetic rubber, rubber or the like wherein a pair of closure members which are identically configured may be pressure locked into closing relationship so that the closure members may be readily assembled and disassembled repeatedly without damaging the closure members or effecting wear thereon.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener which may be fabricated from a suitable plastic material by modern forming techniques such as profile extrusion or pressure molding so that the fastener may be fabricated by employing mass production techniques.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener composed of plastic material which includes a simple interlocking mechanism for releasably securing a pair of closure members which lends itself to a variety of applications and usages wherein the fastener may be secured to other fabrics or materials by sewing, stapling, high-speed bar tacking or the like. In particular, the invention lends itself to a variety of fastener applications as employed in the soft goods or merchandising field.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip fastener having separable closure members having identical material composition and configuration which is easy to manufacture, convenient to assemble and disassemble and which is of sufficient rigidity to be secured on various materials.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a novel holder for sheet materials such as certificates utilizing a pair of alternately ribbed and grooved closure strips carried on opposite ends of the holder and adapted to encircle a supporting structure in interlocking relationship to retain the holder on the structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel holder having strip fastener closures having one set of opposing ends fixedly secured to opposite ends of the holder and another set of opposing ends adapted to be releasably connected together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel certificate holder incorporating the strip fastener means of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the holder shown in FIG. 2 as taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a profile extrusion apparatus illustrating a sheet or layer being continuously extruded therefrom from which closure members forming the strip fastener of the present invention may be made;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, greatly enlarged, of the novel strip fastener of the present invention illustrating a portion of the closure members locked together and a portion thereof illustrated in an intermediate position prior to assembly or disassembly of the closure members and still a further portion of the closure members shown as being completely separated;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view ofa typically spaced rib formation employed in the configuration of FIG. 5 and showing dimensional characteristics ofa successful embodiment; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views ofa strip fastener in accordance with the present invention illustrating the heads of the closure members thereof having a modified configuration from that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a novel holder is illustrated in the direction of arrow 10 which is particularly suitable for enclosing and protecting a sheet of material such as an auto registration certificate. However, it is to be understood that the holder may be used to hold or retain other subject matter for other purposes. For clarification, the showing of a sheet such as a certificate has been omitted.

The holder 10 comprises a pair of flat sheets 11 and 12 having their peripheral edge marginal regions secured together so as to provide an enclosed area between their opposing surfaces adapted to receive and hold an inserted sheet such as the aforementioned auto registration certificate. In order to display printed indicia or other characters, a selected one of the sheets, such as front sheet 11, is formed with an enlarged central opening 13 behind which a sheet or layer 14 of transparent material is carried. The peripheral edge marginal regions of the transparent layer 14 are suitably secured or bonded to the edge marginal region of sheet 11 defining the central opening. Preferably, the transparent layer is carried on the back side of sheet 11, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, so its edges are not exposed exteriorly of the holder.

The pair of sheets 11 and 12 are rectangular in configuration and include integrally formed attachment portions 15 and 16 located at the opposite ends of the holder for carrying the strip fastener of the present invention. The fastener comprises closure members 17 and 18 having one of their ends secured to each of the attachment portions 15 and 16, respectively. The major length of the closure members extends freely away from the body of the holder and is adapted to be wrapped or disposed around a supporting structure, such as an auto steering column or sun visor on which the holder is intended to be mounted. Such structure is indicated in broken lines by numeral 20 in FIG. I. The free ends of the closure members are joined together as indicated by numeral 21 to complete the encirclement of the structure 20.

Surfaces 22 and 23 of the closure members 17 and 18, respectively, are smooth and void of projections or irregularities; however, surfaces 24 and 25 of the members are formed with alternate ribs and grooves as will be more fully described with reference to FIGS. 57 inclusive. In order that member surfaces 24 and 25 oppose each other for securement, the irregular surface 24 of member 17 constitutes a portion of the inside diameter for structure encirclement while smooth surface 23 of member 18 constitutes the remaining portion of the inside diameter of the joined closure members.

In FIG. 2, a corner of the holder is broken away to expose the opening 13 in front sheet 11 and a portion of the transparent layer 14. A feature of the invention resides in forming the back sheet 12 with an elongated, linear slot 26 through which access to the storage area between the opposing surfaces of the sheets may be gained. Sheet material to be held by the holder is inserted or slipped through the slot 26 and maneuvered into place between the sheets.

Preferably, the pair of sheets 11 and I2, closure members 17 and I8 and transparent layer 14 are composed of plastic materials so that joining of the respective components as previously described can be achieved by employing adequate heat and pressure to assure bonding.

Referring in detail to FIG. 4, an extruder is shown in the general direction of arrow 30 as a means by which a sheet or layer, indicated in the direction of arrow 31, may be formed and from which the closure members 17 and 18 of the present invention may be fabricated. It is to be understood from the onset that the closure members of the strip fastener of the present invention may be composed of any suitable plastic material such as may be represented by polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, silicone or any other plasticlike material such as synthetic rubber or the like, which results in a semirigid and flexible layer or sheet. In fabrication, preparation of the plastic feed stock is achieved by compounding and mixing, followed by formation of the sheet or layer, then drying and conditioning the formed sheet, after which finishing may take place.

The prepared plastic feed stock is introduced into the extruder 30 by placing the stock in a suitable hopper or chamber (not shown) and then compressing the material by a hydraulically operated ram (not shown). The opposite end of the chamber contains a die 32, preferably of steel composition, having an orifice or slot indicated by numeral 33 configured after the desired shape. Inasmuch as the die orifice or opening is the path of least resistance for the material under pressure, the material in effect, squirts out of the opening 33 as a continuous sheet 31 having the same cross-sectional shape as the die opening.

By employing the slot-die method of profile extrusion, dies having openings of as little as 0.005 inch and width up to 72 inches may be used, for example. The plastic material emerges from the die in the form of a hot sheet which must be cooled rapidly when thermoplastic materials are used. Employing this method, sheet thickness may vary from 0.005 to 0.250 inches so that a variety of sheet thicknesses can be produced. Extrusion pressures and speed may vary considerably depending upon the size and shape of the sheet sections and the mechanical properties of the material composition. It is also to be understood that thermal setting plastics may be employed to produce the present invention as well as thermoplasts in which case, the extruded sheet is heated to set up for curing as opposed to subjecting the sheet to cooling as when thermoplastic composition is employed. Furthermore, any desired color may be employed depending upon the type and kind of plastic material utilized.

By employing the profile extrusion method described above, the continuous sheet 31 is produced from which strips, such as strip 34, may be cut or severed therefrom so that a relatively inexpensive fastener of the present invention can be constructed. It is to be particularly noted that the strip 34 in the drawings as well as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8 are greatly enlarged from the actual size of the strip fastener as actually fabricated. The enlargement of strip 34 and the versions thereof, are intentionally enlarged to more clearly illustrate and describe the present invention.

Each closure member 17 and 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises, in general, a base layer 35 having a plurality of ribs 36 integrally formed on one side thereof in space parallel relationship with respect to adjacent ribs extending across the width of the strip along its entire length. The fastener comprises a pair of closure members as illustrated in FIG. 5 by numerals 17 and 18. Each of the elongated ribs of the plurality comprises a rib leg or web section 37 which projects outwardly above the one side of the base layer or sheet 35 and that terminates in a thickened rib cap or bead 38. Each of the ribs is spaced apart from ribs located on either of its adjacent sides for a specific distance so as to provide a receptacle or groove or space therebetween capable of receiving a rib carried by the other closure member. The root of each rib leg as it is integrally formed with the base layer 35 when taken in combination with adjacent rib leg roots provides in cooperation with the rib cap or bead 38 a shaped receptacle or groove into which the ribs carried on the second closure member may be received. In other words, when the pair of closure members are joined, an interlocking relationship is effected that requires positive disengaging force to separate or strip the closure members from each other. Inasmuch as the closure members are composed or resilient and flexible material, the thickened caps of the ribs may be forced between adjacent ribs of the mating closure member so that when the beads of one member are compressed to pass the beads carried by the second member, they are free to expand into the enlarged receptacle space provided adjacent the rib leg roots and the sheet or base layer 35. In order to force the ribs of one closure member into the spaces between the ribs of the second closure member, it has been found that finger pressure is sufficient to effect the locking relation of the respective ribs carried by both closure members.

To close the fastener, the pair of closure members are so arranged that the elongated ribs of one member are disposed between adjacent ribs carried by the second closure member whereby positive compressive force is applied to the closure members to forcibly urge the thick cap or bead portions of the rib into the receptacles formed on the opposite closure member between adjacent ribs. To effect release of the fastener, it is preferred to strip one member from the other member, such as by pulling one member from one of its ends. In a typical application or installation, the closure member 17 may be suitably secured to one piece of fabric or material while closure member 18 may be suitably fastened to a second piece of fabric or material which is intended to be releasably secured to the first-mentioned piece of material. Inasmuch as the strip fastener is elongated, having a plurality of individual interlocking elements such as the ribs and receptacles of the closure members, critical indexing between the closure members is avoided and made unnecessary. In effect, a single rib on one closure member and the space provided between two adjacent ribs on the second closure member will effect an interlocking relationship between the two members. By repeating this simple locking feature in the form of an elongated strip, multiple and identical locking elements are provided so that fine adjustments to size or fit can be accommodated as well as to provide flexibility of adjustment.

Each rib 36 includes a rib leg or web section 37 which is of substantially equal thickness throughout its length from its root which integrally forms with the layer 35 to its terminating end formed with a specially designed bead or headcap 38. The cap 38 takes the general form of a wedge which includes a blunt end 39 diverging rearwardly towards the layer 35 and.

terminating in opposite side lobes 40 and 41 with elongated straight edges 42 and 43 on either side of the rib leg 37. Between the opposite edges 42 and 43, the cap or bead is crowned with an arcuate curvature.

The plurality of ribs 36 are separated in parallel spaced relationship from each other for a distance greater than the crosssectional width of the wedge-shaped cap 38 so that when a rib associated with the second closure member, such as indicated by numeral 17, is forcibly urged between adjacent ribs associated with strip 18, a substantially loose but interlocked connection is made which permits the wedge-shaped cap 38 associated with member 17 to freely move within the receptacle space separating adjacent ribs carried by the strip 18. As is indicated in broken lines, the depth of the receptacle provided between the adjacent ribs as well as the width of the receptacle of strip 18 permits the interlocking rib carried by strip 17 to freely move therein. Such freedom is sometimes desirable in those instances where either through choice of materials or the particular application to which the strip fastener is being applied, the interlocking elements may work themselves loose, such as may be encountered in fastener applications where various stresses and strains may be carried into the fastener by the supporting fabric or material to which the closure members are attached.

To illustrate the relative size and distance relationship between the various elements of each closure member, the following dimensions are given for purposes of example in connection with FIG. 6, and it is to be understood that these dimensions may be changed substantially without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each closure member comprising the strip fastener may be 3 inches long and perhaps 56 inch wide. The thickness of the layer 35 may be in the order of 0.015 inch and the width of the wedge head 38 may be 0.042 inches with a distance between centers of adjacent ribs being approximately 0.090 inches. The distance from the bottom flat surface of the layer 35 to the terminus of the rib leg including the cap may be in the order of 0.050 inches and the total height of the closure member from one side of the strip to the blunt nose 39 of the rib may be in the order of 0.065 inches. The radius of the arcuate curvature may be about 0.018 inches. From the foregoing dimensions, it can be appreciated that the strip fastener of the present invention may be made very small and compact and that the profile extruding process briefly described above is ideally suited to the manufacture of such fastenersv Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the wedge cap has been modified to provide an arrow or triangular configuration as indicated by numeral 50. The apex 51 slopes rearwardly to terminate in opposite straight edges 52 and 53. The tapered configuration assists in forcing the wedge heads of the ribs past the ribs carried on the opposing strip. However, the flat undersurface of the heads resist disassembly. FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment modified to the extent that barbs 54 and 55 are formed in cap 38 so that separation of opposing ribs is resisted to prevent inadvertent unlocking.

Although profile extrusion employing the die-slot method is preferred, other forming processes and techniques may be cmployed such as pressure molding, for example. ln addition to employing these relatively inexpensive techniques for manufacturing the fastener, added economies are attributed to the fastener of the present invention since the two closure members are identical in shape and form so that once the sheets have been formed, no further alteration, modification, assembly or processing is required other than the step of cutting the closure members to overall dimension and size.

The materials used are available in all colors to match high style materials used in the manufacture of wearing apparel accessories. This feature is not easily achieved in many other kinds of fasteners, even those used for the above. The material in this invention can be in fine pastel colors, such as pink, orchid, yellow and so forth, or in deeper colors such as jewel tones and ordinary black and white.

The fastener of this type is easy to separate by laterally displacing the strips with respect to each other, which is the normal way a user would disengage it. Yet it is difficult to lift directly off or disengage in other ways than by sliding the ribs out of their grooves as the strips are moved in opposite directions. Disengaging by lifting or pulling longitudinally is surprisingly difficult because the fastener is almost always fitted flat against a person if used for wearing apparel, laid fiat on a cushion if used for upholstering, or fitted flat against supporting structure such as an auto steering column. The invention is not intended for heave duty fastening such as for machinery, appliances, metals, wood or durable goods of any kind. On the contrary, it is intended primarily for soft goods.

Flexibility of fitting effects economies in the manufacture of clothing, headwear, and women's and children's wearing apparel. A headwear manufacturer, in many instances, instead of making a different size to fit each person may manufacture one size which is adjustable by means of the present strip fastener to fit all head sizes.

As a holder for storing sheet material, such as a certificate, the strip fastener may be placed around supporting structure so as to encircle the structure and to be carried thereon. Other forms of sheet material may be displayed in the holder such as advertising subject matter or the like. The entire holder and strap means may be fabricated from plastic materials and all joints or securement for assembly purposes may be readily achieved by heat-sealing techniques.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a supporting structure comprising:

a holder 'having an interior cavity for storing the sheet material;

strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said holder and adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained thereon;

said strap means comprising a pair of elongated strips of resilient and flexible plasticlike composition, each strip having a plurality of rib elements projecting outwardly from one side thereof in spaced-apart relationship whereby said strips are adapted to be pressed together to interlock said rib elements in releasable securement;

each of said rib elements terminates in a substantially enlarged bead extending along the length thereof;

each of said rib elements includes a root portion integrally formed with a base layer common to all of said rib elements associated with a selected strip;

said root portion being formed with parallel sidewalls extending between said base layer and said bead;

said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of side lobes on opposite sides of said bead wherein the height of said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of said ribs; and

the separation of said interlocked rib elements is effected by lateral displacement of said strips with respect to each other whereby said beads are forced out of communication with each other on both of said strips 2. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a supporting structure comprising:

a holder having an interior cavity for storing the sheet material;

strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said I holder and adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained thereon;

a first and a second extruded, elongated, resilient and flexible strip;

each of said strips being provided with a plurality of integrally formed ribs arranged in fixed parallel spacedapart relationship on one side thereof across the width of each of said strips along the entire length thereof;

each rib of said plurality terminating in a substantially thickened or enlarged bead extending along the length thereof;

each of said ribs includes a root portion integrally formed with a base layer common to all of said ribs associated with each one of said first and said second members respectively;

said root portion formed with parallel sidewalls extending between said base layer and said head;

said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of side lobes on opposite sides of said bead, wherein the height of. said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of said ribs;

said first strip and said second strips being adapted to be manually pressed together so that said beads of one strip releasably lock with said beads of the other strips; and wherein the separation of said locked strips is effected by lateral dislodgement of said strips with respect to each other whereby said beads are slidably urged out of communication with each other on both of said strips.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the length of said sidewalls is at least twice the vertical depth dimension of said thickened portion so that a substantial gap surrounds said thickened portion when said thickened portions are pressed between adjacent ribs.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the area between adjacent ones of said ribs constitutes a receptacle for insertably receiving said beads carried by the other of said strips; and wherein said receptacle is substantially formed as a rectangle in cross section having dimensions substantially greater than the dimensions of said bead so as to permit lateral sliding disengagement of said strips when said strips are moved in opposite directions respectively.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the height of said root portion is 0.050 of an inch and the height of said bead is 0.015 of an inch with a width of 5 7; The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said shaped surface is characterized by a pair of converging surfaces extending from each of said edges to merge together in a point.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said shaped surface is characterized by a rounded surface extending between said opposite edges.

9. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said bead is substantially arrow-shaped in cross section having opposite parallel edges separated by said root portion and said opposite edges being in communication with the opposite sidewalls of said root portion so as to define a pair of barbs. 

1. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a supporting structure comprising: a holder having an interior cavity for storing the sheet material; strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said holder and adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained thereon; said strap means comprising a pair of elongated strips of resilient and flexible plasticlike composition, each strip having a plurality of rib elements projecting outwardly from one side thereof in spaced-apart relationship whereby said strips are adapted to be pressed together to interlock said rib elements in releasable securement; each of said rib elements terminates in a substantially enlarged bead extending along the length thereof; each of said rib elements includes a root portion integrally formed with a base layer common to all of said rib elements associated with a selected strip; said root portion being formed with parallel sidewalls extending between said base layer and said bead; said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of side lobes on opposite sides of said bead wherein the height of said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of said ribs; and the separation of said interlocked rib elements is effected by lateral displacement of said strips with respect to each other whereby said beads are forced out of communication with each other on both of said strips
 2. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a supporting structure comprising: a holder having an interior cavity for storing the sheet material; strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said holder and adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained thereon; a first and a second exTruded, elongated, resilient and flexible strip; each of said strips being provided with a plurality of integrally formed ribs arranged in fixed parallel spaced-apart relationship on one side thereof across the width of each of said strips along the entire length thereof; each rib of said plurality terminating in a substantially thickened or enlarged bead extending along the length thereof; each of said ribs includes a root portion integrally formed with a base layer common to all of said ribs associated with each one of said first and said second members respectively; said root portion formed with parallel sidewalls extending between said base layer and said bead; said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of side lobes on opposite sides of said bead, wherein the height of said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of said ribs; said first strip and said second strips being adapted to be manually pressed together so that said beads of one strip releasably lock with said beads of the other strips; and wherein the separation of said locked strips is effected by lateral dislodgement of said strips with respect to each other whereby said beads are slidably urged out of communication with each other on both of said strips.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the length of said sidewalls is at least twice the vertical depth dimension of said thickened portion so that a substantial gap surrounds said thickened portion when said thickened portions are pressed between adjacent ribs.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the area between adjacent ones of said ribs constitutes a receptacle for insertably receiving said beads carried by the other of said strips; and wherein said receptacle is substantially formed as a rectangle in cross section having dimensions substantially greater than the dimensions of said bead so as to permit lateral sliding disengagement of said strips when said strips are moved in opposite directions respectively.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein the height of said root portion is 0.050 of an inch and the height of said bead is 0.015 of an inch with a width of 0.042 inches.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said bead is defined between a pair of edges extending along the opposite sides thereof; each of said edges being in communication with the opposite sidewalls of said root portions respectively by a flat surface normal to its associated sidewall; and said pair of edges being in communication via a shaped surface constituting the top of said bead.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said shaped surface is characterized by a pair of converging surfaces extending from each of said edges to merge together in a point.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said shaped surface is characterized by a rounded surface extending between said opposite edges.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said bead is substantially arrow-shaped in cross section having opposite parallel edges separated by said root portion and said opposite edges being in communication with the opposite sidewalls of said root portion so as to define a pair of barbs. 